Adjustable speed-controlling device for log-chtjtes



0. W. JOHNSTON. ADJUSTABLE SPEED commoume DEVICE FOR LOG CHUTES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23,1919.

JIM/6n for cfa/znaiwz Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

. 0. w. JOHNSTON. ADJUSTABLE SPEED CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR L0$ GHUTES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, I919. 1 ,359,386, Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- In (/6 74 $0 r 0. Hdfihnatan UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIE..

OMER w. JOHNSTON, or LIBBY, MONTANA, ASSIG-NOR or ONE-HALF To LARMON G.ToWNsENi), or LTBBY, MONTANA.

ADJUSTABLE SPEED-CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR, LOG-CI-IUTES.

To all whom it may cdncern:

Be it known that I, OMER V. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Libby, in the county of Lincoln and State of Montana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable SpeedControlling Devices for Log-Chutes; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to means of retarding the speed of logs byadjustable control in passing through log chutes.

An important object of this invention is to provide an adjustable speedchecking device for log chutes which may be safely operated at a pointspaced considerably from the chute.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable speedchecking device for log chutes capable of withstanding the great strainincident to abruptly stopping logs in their passage through the chute.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable log checkdevice consisting of a plurality of dogs set at an angle and adapted toengage the logs in passing through the chute, the inclination of thedogs being adapted to more tightly draw the log into contact with thebottom of the chute.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described which is simple to operate, adjustable of control,reliable in use, and cheap to install in log chutes of the standardconstruction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation 4 of a log chute having myimproved log checking device applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and,

Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the log engaging dogs.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose Specification of Letters Patent.P t t Nam 1 192@ Application filed July 23, 1919.

Serial No. 312,795.

nally extending inwardly inclined timbers 11 adapted forslidablysupporting logs. As is obvious the upper end of the chute is arranged atthe receiving point for the logs and the lower end of the chute isarranged at the discharge point for the logs.

The upper faces 12 of the timbers 11 are inclined inwardly and havetheir opposed sides spaced to permit of the discharge of any particleswhich may drop from the logs. The inner edge portions of the timbers 11are provided with inwardly inclined tubes 13 receiving dogs 14. Asindicated in Fig. 1 the dogs are set at an acute angle to thelongitudinal axis of the logs, preferably at about 85 degrees. The upperends of the dogs 14 are inclined as indicated at 15 to providepenetrating points 16. The angular disposition of the dogs 14 withrelation to the logs passing through the chute causes the logs to movein very close contact with the chute upon being engaged by the dogs. Asindicated in Fig. 5 the dogs 14 are provided on their forward sides withchannels 17 adapted to receive bark or other particles of wood depositedwithin the tubular members to prevent the dogs from jamming within thetubular members.

The dogs 14 may be adjusted to the desired position with respect to theinclined surfaces 12 of the timbers 11.

The operating means for the dogs include a pair of levers 18 having eyes19 in their outer end portions and receiving bolts 20 of a lesserdiameter of the interior diameter of the eyes. The connection betweenthe levers 18 and the bolts 20 permits of the pivotal movement of thelevers. The dogs 14'are provided in their lower portions with slightlyofiset eyes 21 receiving the operating levers 18. Nuts 22 have threadedengagement with the bolts 20 and may be regulated for adjusting theposition of the levers 18.

As indicated in Fig. 1, an operating arm 23 has its forward end portionmounted on a transverse support 24 secured to one of the beams 11. A pin25 carried by the upper side of the transverse member 24 extends throughan opening 26 in the arm 23 and serves to pivotally connect the arm 23to the member 24. The intermediate portion of the arm 23 supports theoverlapped end portions of the levers 18 and is adapted to be elevatedor lowered as desired for regulating the position of the dogs 14. Apulley 27 secured to the under side or" the chute supports a.

flexible element 28 connected to the rear end portion of the arm 23. Theflexible element 28 is of rope or any other desired material and extendsto a point spaced from the chute. The operator of the chute may regulatethe positions of the dogs 14 by operating the flexible element 28.

One or more adjustable speed controlling devices may be operated from asingle point. Protector aprons 29 are provided for the upper sides ofthe dogs and reinforcing plates 30 are provided for the lower sides ofthe dogs. The reinforcing plates 30 are countersunk in the chute and areadapted to prevent the dogs 14: from splitting the chute.

While l have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is understood that I may make such minor changes inarrangement and construction of parts as will remain within the spiritof the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. The combinationwith a log supporting chute including log supporting means, of aplurality of log engaging members extending above and below the logsupporting means, levers connected to said log engaging members, meansto support the levers, said levers being overlapped an operating armpivoted to the chute and supporting the overlapped portions of saidlevers, and a regulating element connected to said operatmg arm.

2. The combination with a log chute ineluding log supporting means, of aplurality of dogs extending through the log support ing means and havingtheir lower end portions provided with eyes, levers extended throughsaid eyes and having their inner end portions overlapped, means tosupport the outer end portions of the levers, and an operating memberconnected to the overlapped portions of said levers.

'below the log supporting means, levers connected intermediate theirends to sald logv engaging members, means to adjustably and pivotallysupport the outer end portions of the levers, the inner end portions ofsaid levers being overlapped, an operating arm having its forward endportion pivoted to the chute and supporting the overlapped portions ofsaid levers intermediate its ends, and a regulating element connected tothe rear end portion of said arm.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OMER w. JOHNSTON- Witnesses L. G. TowNsnNn, DAVID BOYLE.

